Fulham 2-2 Norwich: Match Report

18 October 2016 21:34

Scott Malone concedes two penalties but Fulham hit back to draw

Fulham recovered from the misfortune of seeing Scott Malone concede two penalties to earn a deserved point in a 2-2 draw with Norwich.

Graham Dorrans twice took advantage of fouls in the box by Malone to put Norwich 2-0 up at half-time.

But goals from Stefan Johansen and former Norwich striker Chris Martin made sure it ended all square.

Newcastle's victory at Barnsley means Norwich, who have not won at Craven Cottage since 1986, relinquish top spot.

Tim Ream's lunge on Cameron Jerome on the right of the Fulham box put the home side under pressure early on and Wes Hoolahan's free-kick was deflected over.

Robbie Brady delivered the resulting corner which was met at the near post by Timm Klose, whose header flashed across goal and inches wide.

That was also the case at the other end shortly afterwards when Sone Aluko unleashed a drive that Canaries goalkeeper Michael McGovern did well to tip around his right-hand post.

Another Brady set-piece was almost Fulham's undoing and again Klose was the man on the end of it, heading past the upright after Russell Martin had flicked it on.

Norwich went ahead in the 17th minute through Dorrans' penalty. Malone mistimed his tackle on Jacob Murphy and the Scot made no mistake from the spot.

Another Aluko effort needed Klose's deflection to take it away from goal and Denis Odoi headed over from the corner.

This was Fulham's best spell of the half and Norwich right-back Ivo Pinto was in the right place to stop Aluko setting up Chris Martin in front of goal.

Norwich survived some pinball in their box from another corner before the lively Aluko was booked for tackling Hoolahan from behind.

Referee James Linington made a decision that was even more unpopular with the home fans when he awarded Norwich another penalty in the 40th minute.

Again it was Malone who was penalised with the left-back booked for barging Jerome to the floor. And once Fulham captain Scott Parker had been booked for complaining, Dorrans again found the net from 12 yards.

Stefan Johansen curled a free-kick just wide as Fulham began the second period strongly.

The same player pulled a goal back in the 55th minute when Chris Martin's shot from the edge of the box hit a Norwich man and Johansen before creeping past McGovern.

Chris Martin then Fulham's equaliser in the 66th minute. Dorrans gave the ball away to Johansen, who set up the Scotland international to beat the exposed McGovern with a measured finish.

Fulham had been on top all half and continued to put Norwich under immense pressure.

Alex Tettey forced Fulham goalkeeper David Button into a rare save at the other end, and it was a good one too.

Aluko could have won it for Fulham in time added on but failed to hit the target.


Source: PA